Chapter 159: Gentlemen Agree to Disagree!
"What Elbaph has publicly announced is that the Second Prince Loki killed his father, Harald!"
After hearing this, Dorry and Brogy did not fly into a rage as they had before, nor did they immediately sink into sorrow.
The two giants exchanged a glance, their massive faces showing thoughtful expressions.
Giants are straightforward by nature, but they are not foolish.
They sensed there was more to Ralph's words than met the eye.
Princess Vivi's political instincts immediately kicked in.
As the crown princess of Alabasta, she understood all too well the complexities of internal state affairs and the vast chasm that could exist between the "official narrative" and the "actual truth."
She cautiously asked, "Then... what was the true cause of His Majesty Harald's death? Why is there a rumor that a prince killed his own father?"
Everyone else held their breath, their gazes fixed on Ralph.
Zoro's fingers unconsciously stroked the hilt of his sword, Nami's eyes widened, and Usopp nervously swallowed.
Even Lufia stopped gnawing on her meat, looking at Ralph with curiosity.
As for Dorry and Brogy, their two enormous heads leaned in even closer.
Their faces were now less than three meters above Ralph's head, the oppressive feeling making the air seem to freeze.
Ralph remained silent for a few seconds.
"The truth of the matter... I don't actually know it clearly."
Ralph spoke slowly, choosing the safest phrasing, "What I said earlier—that Harald died due to a conspiracy by the World Government—was merely my speculation. Because I don't believe Prince Loki would do something like killing his own father."
This was a lie.
Ralph, of course, knew the full truth.
But he couldn't say it.
At least not in such detail right now.
A well-informed person could be explained away as having an extensive intelligence network.
But someone who knew the secrets of the giant royal family from over fifty years ago in minute detail, down to the specifics—
That would be far too suspicious, almost as if they had witnessed everything firsthand.
If he went into any more detail, Ralph would have no way to justify his sources of information.
At least what he had revealed so far still fell within the scope of what certain intelligence organizations could uncover.
However, this level of information was actually sufficient.
Sufficient to make Dorry and Brogy consider leaving.
And to realize that Elbaph had already caught the attention of the World Government, that their homeland was in a very delicate situation.
Moreover, if they wanted to know the truth about their friend's death, they would have to return to their country to find out.
As for their century-long duel, they could set it aside for now.
Given that it concerned Elbaph's safety and the truth behind their friend's death, the God of Elbaph would forgive them.
The campfire crackled.
Dorry and Brogy stared at each other for a full ten seconds.
Then, almost simultaneously, the two giants nodded firmly.
"Build a ship!"
Brogy stood up, his voice like thunder, "We're returning to Elbaph!
"Let's start now!"
Dorry also rose to his feet, his eyes beneath his iron helmet burning with the fire of homesickness, "One hundred years... it's time to go back and see!"
Hearing the two giants' decision to return to their homeland, the most excited person turned out to be Usopp.
The long-nosed sniper jumped up with a start, his eyes shining:
"Master Dorry! Master Brogy! Are you really going back to Elbaph?"
He had been deeply moved by the century-long duel between the two giants, aspiring to become a great warrior like them.
He even called Dorry and Brogy his masters, role models for him as a warrior of the sea.
Though Ralph still couldn't understand how fighting to the death with one's best friend, even forgetting the reason for the duel, embodied the glory of a warrior.
But Usopp and Lufia clearly saw a certain "romance of warriors" in it.
"One day, I'll visit the Land of Giants, Elbaph, to see my two masters!"
Usopp puffed out his chest, trying to look like a true warrior, "I want to become a great warrior of the sea, just like you!"
Lufia also excitedly raised her fist:
"Great! Usopp, we'll go together when the time comes!"
"If the captain's going, then there's no choice."
Zoro held his swords, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"I'd like to see it too."
Sanji lit a cigarette.
"Giant tribe specialties must be worth a fortune..."
Though Nami feared danger, there was always something that helped her overcome her fear.
Ralph watched this scene, warmth welling up in his heart.
Even though he still couldn't understand the duel culture of the giants...
Gentlemen seek harmony but not uniformity.
Only when one can truly embrace all things will the world become peaceful.
"Then let's help build the ship too!"
Lufia was full of energy, "Many hands make light work!"
But Nami immediately poured cold water on it:
"We don't have time to delay."
She glanced at Vivi, speaking seriously to everyone:
"Alabasta is in dire straits. We must hurry and send Vivi back to stop the war. Every day we delay, thousands more could die."
Hearing this, Vivi's expression darkened.
She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.
"A... royal princess?"
Dorry looked down at Vivi, a flicker of surprise in his huge eyes,
"You're trying to stop a civil war in your own country?"
Vivi nodded firmly:
"Yes. My country... is being manipulated, and the people are killing each other. I must go back and stop it."
Brogy and Dorry exchanged a glance.
They remembered what Ralph had said about the potential crisis in Elbaph.
And they understood the heavy burden on this human princess's shoulders.
"When friends are in trouble, we should help."
Dorry said solemnly, "But unfortunately... the Log Pose needs a full year to record Little Garden's magnetic field. Even if you want to leave, you can't."
A year?!
Vivi's face instantly turned pale.
If she returned a year later, Alabasta would probably be...
"Don't worry."
Ralph's voice rang out, calm and confident:
"I've already made arrangements. Everyone just needs to prepare to set sail."
One hour later, by the coast.
The Going Merry was quietly anchored in the shallows.
But when the Straw Hat crew returned to the shore, everyone froze.
Beside the Going Merry stood four people.
The four standing there were none other than the Baroque Works agents Ralph had fought in the jungle earlier!
Mr. 3, Miss Goldenweek, Mr. 5, Miss Valentine.
"Baroque Works agents!"
Vivi exclaimed in shock, instinctively taking a step back.
Zoro's three swords were instantly drawn, Sanji assumed a fighting stance, Nami gripped her Clima-Tact tightly, and Usopp shakily raised his slingshot.
Only Lufia tilted her head:
"Huh? Aren't you the people who were fighting earlier? Why are you back?"
However, what happened next made everyone's eyes widen.
Mr. 3, rubbing his hands together with an ingratiating smile on his face, hurried over to Ralph.
"Boss! You're back!"